Interested in Environmental Action? Business Owners: Joing Scale Up Cohort 2
A screenshot of SCALE UP 2020!
♻️ Are you thinking about SCALE UP for sustainability business education, but want to know more before taking the leap? We’re here with a sneak peak of some of the crucial things you will learn in this comprehensive seven-week, virtual series on sustainable project planning! #ScaleUpAZ
Each week, participants learn about sustainability topics in the context of Arizona, specific sustainable actions they can take, and how to make these efforts cost-effective. This could be you too! One of the participants from a previous cohort, Andrew from Good Eye Living, said, “We were unaware of all the fantastic resources in Tucson and opportunities to get help with creating a more sustainable property and workplace. We look forward to doing our small part.”
Emma from BRINK Media agreed, saying "We appreciated the connection drawn between climate issues and social issues." This course is about more than environmental action; it is about helping your business make Arizona a better place to be and to live.
Week 1: Orientation to SCALE UP
A fitting way to start the course, Week 1 is focused on a discussion about the importance of environmental action today. During week 1 you will learn about sustainability benchmarking as well as about equity and environmental justice. This section is taught by Mike Peel, Statewide Sustainability Director for the Local First Arizona Foundation, and Sandra Bernal, a lecturer and researcher from the University of Arizona and a member of several sustainability boards in Tucson.
Fast facts from this week:
The current rates of resource use, climate change, and biodiversity loss are quickly reaching and exceeding boundaries for what our planet can handle
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager helps businesses track 150 different metrics so they can implement every step of their energy management program, from setting a baseline and identifying which buildings to target to setting goals and tracking improvements
A Regenerative Economy is one that produces and distributes resources in harmony with the planet and prioritizes the health and dignity of all people
Week 2: Energy
Week 2 is all about energy and learning how to use it more efficiently. This week, the cohort will learn about renewable energy options and how to build up to these improvements. This week of the course is led by Jason Laros, former energy manager for the City of Tucson and current utility energy consultant focused on how cultures, technologies and the environment come together.
Fast facts from this week:
In a ranking of all states in the US, Arizona is the 46th in energy consumption per capita, but 24th in carbon dioxide emissions - so we emit more than we consume
Energy efficiency is the lowest cost energy investment with the best return
Those of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to live near polluting energy production sites. This plays out with Arizona’s indigenous populations: almost all coal and uranium mining for energy is sited on or near reservation land, despite the fact that the tribes only control about a quarter of the land in Arizona and
Week 3: Water
Week 3 dives into how water works in Arizona, which is one of the most important resources for Arizonans to conserve. You will also learn about indoor water improvements and sustainable landscaping. This week of the course is taught by Damian Cox, the founder of Ecoblue in Tucson, specializing in commercial water conservation.
Fast facts from this week:
36% of AZ water comes from the Colorado River, 40% from groundwater, and 21% from in-state rivers
Population growth is increasing much quicker in the American Southwest than in most of the country, with the exception of Florida. That has a lot of implications for climate change, and future demand for our water
The cost of water is different depending on the type of business, and this is generally because of wastewater fees
Pre-1980s toilets used 5 gallons of water per flush; today’s high-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush. That’s a lot of water and money saved!
Week 4: Waste
We all contribute to waste production and understanding how waste works in Arizona is an important step to making a difference. This week, you will learn about low waste practices, sustainable procurement, and zero waste audits. You will learn about waste from Danielle Van Vleet, a zero waste consultant who has conducted over 500 waste characterization audits.
Fast facts from this week:
About ⅓ of an average dump is made up of packaging material
Municipal recycling programs were originally designed and funded by the Plastics Association
A waste audit is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your waste - and we teach you how to do it!
Changing your purchasing habits towards more refillable, recyclable, and compostable materials is an extremely effective way to reduce waste.
Week 5: Transportation
One of the biggest contributing factors to pollution is transportation, and understanding your business’s transportation habits will make it easier to be sustainable. Week 5 is a study of air quality, public transportation, biking and pedestrians and employee commuting. This week is taught by Catlow Shipek, Policy and Technical Director of Watershed Management Group, and a passionate promoter of alternative transportation - he and his wife rely solely on bike and bus commuting and have not owned a vehicle for over 3 years.
Fast facts from this week:
28% of US greenhouse gas emissions are from the transportation sector, 53% of which is from cars and light-duty vehicles
On average, it’s estimated that taking public transportation over a car saves approximately $9,738 per year, AND that transportation is the 4th highest expenditure for Americans, after healthcare, housing, and food.
25-40% of urban space is roads and streets, which lead to increased heat street from concrete and asphalt
You can work with the city to reduce the amount of on-site parking that is required at your facility if you can demonstrate transportation alternatives (i.e. bike racks, bus passes to employees, etc)
Week 6: Culture of Sustainability
Having a culture of sustainability is vital to maintaining an environmentally conscious business. During week 6, you will learn about employee engagement and sustainability communication. You will also be introduced to the idea of green teams; a group of engaged employees leading sustainability efforts at your business. This week is taught by Gina Murphy-Darling, the founder and owner of the multimedia and environmental education company, Mrs. Green’s World.
Fast facts from this week:
Tucson is the third fastest-warming city in the United States, and Phoenix is the fourth
The climate crisis is also an economic crisis, altering the value of real estate, presenting new and unpredictable risks, and destabilizing supply chains for businesses globally
68% of people think corporations, over every other group, need to act to address climate change.
Having an active, committed Green Team can increase cost savings and employee engagement and retention, and lower a company’s carbon footprint.
During the course of the program, you will also be given the opportunity to apply everything you are learning to your own sustainability problems. The SCALE UP team will help come up with ideas, provide support and continue to help you know how best to approach sustainability.
Excited about learning about sustainability? Want to get involved? Sign up for the next cohort here. The upcoming cohorts are as follows:
Sept 29 - Nov 10
Jan 12 - Feb 23
March 9 - April 20
Cohorts of 10-15 business participants will meet weekly on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom platform and SCALE UP will stop accepting applications a week before the start of the cohort.